GM global marketing chief leaving

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Joel Ewanick, General Motors' global marketing chief, is leaving the company, the automaker said in a statement Sunday.

Ewanick, 52, joined GM (GM, Fortune 500) a little over two years ago as head of marketing for the U.S. Just seven months later, he was promoted to Global Chief Marketing Officer, then a new role at GM. That made him responsible for GM's marketing in places as far-flung as Asia, South America and Europe and brands unfamiliar to most Americans like Holden, Opel and Daewoo.

In a 2010 interview with CNNMoney.com shortly after his promotion at GM was announced, Ewanick outlined his strategy for boosting the automaker's image around the world. The basic ideas: Truly know the customer and respect the locals.

Before joining GM, Ewanick was Nissan's U.S. marketing chief. Prior to that, he headed up marketing for Hyundai Motor America, where he was credited with creating the successful Hyundai Assurance sales promotion. Under that program, which launched in early 2009, Hyundai offered to take back a Hyundai buyer's new car if the buyer lost his or her job within a year of the purchase.

Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales and Service, will serve as GM's interim global chief marketing officer, the company said.